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Science and Society
The concepts of intellectual property from both an academic and commercial perspective will be introduced alongside an introduction to entrepreneurship in science; the need for enterprise skills amongst graduates is becoming increasingly important. The importance of scientific ethics within a research environment will be discussed with reference to case studies from a wide range of disciplines. There is also a strong emphasis on improved oral and verbal communication so that our current graduates will be equipped with the skills essential for a future scientific career. In particular, this course will address the different communication skills required for promoting research to different audiences (public, peers, government/policy makers, funding bodies) and hence increase the impact.
Course Code
SX3002
Year
3 and 4
Semester
1
Credits
15
Teaching Hours
The course will typically consist of two hours a week and will include taught lectures, workshops/discussion sessions and guest seminars.
Timetable
To follow.
There will be three-four units of assessment (including peer reviewed assessment) with deadlines spread over the semester which could include:
- Performing a case study to discover how academic research can lead to patents and spin out companies. This will be in the form of a publicity leaflet.
- Writing a report in the style of the “New scientist” of not more than 2000 words on a topic in general science selected from a list of possible choices. Flash presentations will also be given on the same topic.
- Taking part in a group discussion on the different issues related to ethics in research. This will then be written up and turned into a class wiki; the students will work in groups to prepare the site.
- Pitching a complex scientific concept to a panel of academics. The students will work in a group to prepare the pitch.
- Answering questions in an on line quiz.
Ethics
- The Ethics of Science, an introduction by David. B. Resnik (Taylor and Francis (2007)).
- Responsible Conduct of Research by Adil E Shamoo and David B Resnik (Oxford University Press (2009)).
- Principles of Biomedical Ethics by T. L Beauchamp, & J. F. Childress, 6th edition (Oxford University Press (2008)).
- The Sacrifice: how scientific experiments transform animals and people by Lynda I. A. Birke, Arnold Arluke & Mike Michael, (Purdue University press (2006)).
- The Cambridge Medical Ethics Workbook pp. 77-100. Fulford, K. W. M., ‘Chapter 4 – Medical research: participation and protection’ in Donna Dickenson, Richard Huxtable & Michael Parker (eds), http://ebooks.cambridge.org/ebook.jsf?bid=CBO9780511910098
- Double Standards in Medical Research in Developing Countries by Ruth Macklin, [electronic resource] (2004).
- Ethics and the pharmaceutical industry by Michael A. Santoro & Thomas M. Gorrie (eds), [electronic resource] (2005)
Communicating Science
- Handbook of Public Communication of Science and Technology, Edited by Massimiano Bucchi, Brian Trench (Routledge, (2008)).
IPR
- Business Law in Scotland, Gillian Black, 2nd edition (Green 2011).
- Contemporary Intellectual Property: Law and Policy by Hector Macqueen, Charlotte Waelde and Graeme Laurie, 2nd edition (Oxford University Press (2010).
Entrepreneurship
- The Lean Startup: How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Reiss, (Portfolio Penguin (2011)).
- Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur (John Wiley (2010)).
Dr Abbie McLaughlin
Dr McLaughlin is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry.
